The 2025 World Expo in Osaka will close on Monday with a ceremony to be attended by Crown Prince and Princess Akishino, Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and other dignitaries.
The Expo opened in April, centering on the theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” A total of 158 countries and territories as well as seven international organizations have been taking part.
The closing ceremony will begin at 2:00 p.m. at the exhibition’s venue on the artificial island of Yumeshima.
Ticket sales were slow ahead of its opening, fueling concerns that operational expenses could end up in the red. But the number of ticketed visitors topped 25 million by Saturday.
The organizer, the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, says that operational expenses are likely to post a surplus of 23 to 28 billion yen, or approximately 150 to 185 million dollars, thanks to high turnout and brisk merchandise sales.
Also on Monday, a forum will be held to issue a declaration aimed at disseminating the exhibition’s achievements.
A parade featuring the official mascot Myaku-Myaku and representatives of the participating countries and territories bearing their flags will also take place under the venue’s Grand Ring.
These events will be followed by a fireworks display and a drone show at night. The Expo will conclude at 10 p.m.
AloJapan.com